Midlands' Olympic legends: Anna Watkins

Credit: PA Wire / PA Archive/Press Association Images

  • Date of Birth: 13/02/1983

  • Place of Birth: Leek, Staffordshire

  • Sport: Rowing

  • Event: Double sculls

  • Games Competed: Beijing 2008 and London 2012

  • Olympic Bronze - Beijing 2008 - Double sculls

  • Olympic Gold - London 2012 - Double sculls

Anna Watkins was born and raised in Leek, Staffordshire and started rowing in Cambridge, where she attended college.

At the Beijing Olympics she won a bronze medal in the double sculls event with her partner Elise Laverick.

In 2010, she teamed with Katherine Grainger who had won silver medals in the Olympic Games in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

In London 2012, Watkins and Grainger broke the Olympic record in the semi-finals of the double sculls and the pair won the gold medal in the final.

In the 2013 New Years Honours list, Anna Watkins was awarded with an MBE for her services to Rowing.